Academy Transformation Trust’s Statement of Intent

It is our core responsibility to ensure that students have access to the very best education possible. One of the most fundamental and influential aspects of a child’s education is the curriculum that they have access to. The power of curriculum is immense. It has the power to not only transform an individual, but to also transform whole communities and shape their understanding of the world and their place in it. Therefore, it is imperative that the curriculum on offer within our academies is truly world class and gives students access to powerful knowledge that takes them far beyond what their own individual experience ever could. In order to achieve this we must ensure we expose all students ‘to the best that has been thought and said and engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement’. To truly transform lives we must not only show students what is possible but inspire and instil the confidence in them to go out and do it. All learners in our academies will experience a curriculum that:

1. is ambitious and enjoyable through knowledge and skills developed from Foundation Stage to Post 16 and Adult provision.

2. is knowledge rich, ensuring access to a wide, global cultural capital – thus maximising lifetime opportunities.

3. is inclusive, nurturing and tailored towards the needs of the individual.

4. is focused on developing the very best oracy, literacy, numeracy and digital skills – enabling access to the widest learning and the very best careers possible to ensure we develop global citizens.

5. is enriching, ensuring all experience a rich variety of cultural, artistic and sporting activities.

6. is broad in terms of coverage and (at least) encompassing the breadth of the 2014 English National Curriculum.

7. celebrates the uniqueness of each educational setting in terms of localised knowledge and skills.

8. develops character, personal pride and the highest moral standards.

9. celebrates diversity, challenges injustice, promotes equality and encourages the creation of a better world.

10. is delivered by well-qualified, forward-thinking, skilled, passionate professionals.

Pool Hayes Academy Curriculum Aims

At Pool Hayes Academy, we believe that every child deserves access to the powerful knowledge that helps them understand the world, think deeply, and take advantage of future opportunities—no matter their background.

Our curriculum is carefully planned so that students don’t just learn facts but develop a strong understanding of each subject. Over time, they build knowledge step by step, so that what they learn makes sense, sticks with them, and gives them confidence. We want all our students to be able to ask big questions, explain their ideas clearly, and solve problems with confidence.

We teach subjects in a way that reflects how they work in the real world—so that students learn to think like scientists, historians, writers, artists, and more. This helps them not only do well in exams, but also become curious, informed, and thoughtful young people.

Our curriculum also helps students understand the wider world by introducing them to important ideas, events, books, and cultures that shape the society we live in. We believe this kind of cultural knowledge opens doors—it gives students the language, awareness, and confidence they need to thrive in life beyond school.

We are ambitious for every child and believe that a strong education, built on knowledge, is the most powerful way we can support their success—now and in the future.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, our curriculum is broad and balanced with all students having access to the full range of subjects offered. We ensure that students experience a wide range of subjects including the core of English, Maths and Science, alongside Spanish, Humanities, Performance and STEM related subjects. This is from years 7 through to 9. This Key Stage 3 curriculum allows students to experience a wide range of subjects before they begin their journey to Key Stage 4.

Key Stage 4

In year 10, students study a more focused range of subjects on a curriculum that is bespoke to their needs. We encourage students to access a range of challenging qualifications that will support them in securing their ambitions. We offer a range of GCSEs, BTECs and OCR National Qualifications at Key Stage 4.

Key Stage 5

Upon entry into year 12, students will have chosen from a range of A Level, BTEC Level 3 and OCR National Level 3 Qualifications. Whilst most students choose three qualifications at A Level, we support students who wish to access a wider range, or those who have varied interests beyond our usual curriculum with our enrichment programme.